Originally Posted by narpet
I agree that starting the game off with your character being imprisoned is a bit old at this point, but considering that they have done it that way for all four games in this series (Arena, Daggerfall, Morrowind, Oblivion), it's a safe bet that the next one will be that way also.

Daggerfall was an exception. The game begins with the Emperor explaining two tasks for you to perform. You board a ship but a mysterious and violent storm sinks it almost immediately. You start the game where you get washed ashore (in a dungeon).